Passenger Not Wearing a Seatbelt in Midddlesboro Nets One for Trafficking

From WRIL - The Big One -

Tyler Riddle - BCDC

According to a citation, on Saturday, August 8th at approximately 6:30 p.m., Middlesboro Officer Gabe Price made a traffic stop on Winchester Avenue on a Chevy Trailblazer. This was after observing one of three passengers not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver was cited for the seatbelt infraction and was asked by the officer for consent to search the vehicle, which she granted. During the search, the officer states that the passenger, 36-year-old Tyler D. Riddle of Middlesboro, was "acting nervous and shaking."

Officer Price states that he located a black backpack between the seats in the vicinity of two other passengers, which were juveniles. Inside the backpack was found a digital scale, a pipe containing residue, and a clear crystal-like substance believed to be Methamphetamine. Tyler Riddle was then placed in cuffs and taken into custody.

Riddle admitted that backpack and its contents belonged to him.

The suspected Methamphetamine weighed 3.5 grams and Officer Price states that based on the weight and the scale, a trafficking charge was required.  The substance is being sent to a lab for verification/identification. 

Tyler Riddle was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with trafficking in controlled substance – 1^st degree, 1^st offense, greater than 2 grams (Methamphetamine) and buying or possession drug paraphernalia. 

Officer Price was assisted on scene by Officer Adam Southern.

All subjects are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.